“Mmm, ice cream so divine. Oh, I’m feeling like a bold cowgirl. Gang gang. Pure fire,” exclaims the exuberant TikToker PinkyDoll, sticking her tongue out playfully and mimicking the act of licking a cone. For those unfamiliar with the world of TikTok livestreams, PinkyDoll’s seemingly nonsensical stream of words may appear bewildering, but for avid fans, they evoke a sense of familiarity. And for PinkyDoll, a former stripper, these antics are her means of earning a living.
Welcome to the fascinating and peculiar trend of ‘NPC streaming,’ which has taken the social media realm by storm in recent months and is enabling TikTokers to earn thousands of pounds per day, surpassing the monthly earnings of the average Brit in just one hour. This surreal trend derives its name from the ‘non-playable characters’ found within video games who mindlessly repeat pre-programmed phrases and actions. Participants of this trend dress up as elves and attempt to imitate these computer-generated extras while delivering cartoonish catchphrases during their livestreams.
PinkyDoll, whose real name is Fedha Sinon, rose to internet stardom this month due to her eccentric reactions. Her following has skyrocketed to nearly 800,000 followers after her viral ‘ice cream so good’ video. Today, tens of thousands of viewers eagerly tune in to watch her live streams. Sinon, who is also prominent on OnlyFans, now earns between $2,000 and $3,000 per stream, accumulating approximately $7,000 a day across all her social media platforms. Prior to her newfound fame, she earned a mere $250 per day.
Other TikTokers, such as Cherry Crush and Satoyu727, have also hopped on this lucrative bandwagon, amassing millions of followers and reaping financial rewards by assuming the role of an NPC. Notably, producer and rapper Timbaland has become one of Sinon’s biggest fans, even reposting one of her livestream videos on his own TikTok account after catching her breaking character.
While some individuals find this trend bewildering and even dystopian, branding such content as fetish material, it is important to remember that these performances bear similarities to the online presentations perfected by erotic workers in previous years. Christian Tran, a doctoral researcher specializing in internet culture and digital labor at the University of Toronto, suggests that NPC streamers can be seen as the modern descendants of “e-girl” influencers who emerged on platforms like Twitch and TikTok in the early 2020s. These creators, including Cherry Crush, have built their followings by blending gamer aesthetics with cam girl influence.
Cherry Crush vehemently denies that her TikTok streams are fetish content, emphasizing that her intent is purely comedic and entertaining. PinkyDoll echoes a similar sentiment, stating that she is not bothered by others’ opinions and is focused on her own success.
Matt Woods, CEO and founder of AFK Creators, an agency that connects major online stars with brands, recognizes the popularity of this trend among gamers. He believes that it can be engrossing for both creators and users, providing an avenue for substantial earnings through donations and gifts on TikTok. Woods anticipates that NPC streaming will help TikTok experience significant growth, as the donation model has witnessed a surge in popularity with the digital item gifting trend.
For PinkyDoll, it’s all about seizing the moment, capitalizing on her fame, and securing her financial well-being. In her words, “At the end of the day, I’m winning.”
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